I've always been interested in fashion and the business of fashion. I write about the latest clothes and trends just as much as I write about the commerce and trade of the industry. I also like to write about how history, art and popular culture relate to fashion. I have more than 10 years of fashion journalism background—a decade or so of writing and dressing in everything from Prada to Zara to Yves Saint Laurent. I write for the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, Asia Tatler and Harper's Bazaar Singapore. You can also read my thoughts on fashion and design on http://www.styleintel.com/ Follow me on twitter: @bluecarreon

What It Takes To Dress Michelle Obama

Until Michelle Obama came along, there hasn’t been an American first lady whose every outfit is discussed and dissected with so much fervor since Jackie Kennedy. The pantsuits of Hillary Clinton don’t quite measure up to the modern sartorial choices of Mrs. O. You could argue that Laura Bush was a glamorous first lady, but hers was a uniform of Oscar de la Renta dresses — safe, dependable but hardly exciting to fashion watchers.

By now we all know that Michelle Obama likes to wear affordable pieces from J.Crew just as much as directional designs from Alaia and Narciso Rodriguez. She could be regal and poised in Michael Kors one day and fun and in the groove in Jean Paul Gaultier the next. She also likes young designers like Jason Wu and Thakoon. Google her and a list of blogs about her style and fashion sense come in succession — Mrs. O, MichelleObamaWatch, MichelleOStyle to name a few. There have been several books as well including one penned by former Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar editor Kate Betts.

But how do designers get their clothes on the back of the first lady? I asked this question and several others to Los Angeles-based fashion designer Barbara Tfank who has dressed Michelle Obama twice. Barbara Tfank is known for her dresses with a 1950s silhouette in rich and wonderfully printed fabrics. In an industry that favors black, she uses a lot of jewel tones and bright colors that make her clothes even more luxurious and glamorous. Before launching her eponymous line she was a costume designer in Hollywood. She has since dressed Uma Thurman, Vanessa Redgrave and the singer Adele at the advice of Anna Wintour.

Blue Carreon: What was the experience like dressing the first lady?

Barbara Tfank: It was truly an honor especially because the first lady has worn two of my dresses at important state occasions. She has also appeared on best-dressed lists from Vogue to Oprah in both dresses. Plus there are the blogs about her too.

BC: Did the first lady’s people get in touch with you and asked you to custom-make something for her?

BT: Yes. I met with the first lady’s team in Paris last year and both dresses were selected at that time. My studio made them and that was the last we heard from them for a while. I was totally unaware until one day I happened to visit the blog Mrs. O and saw Mrs. Obama in my dress (with the Wounded Warriors.) I contacted Mary Tomer of Mrs. O and told her that FLOTUS (First Lady of the United States) was wearing Barbara Tfank.

The second time FLOTUS wore my design; it was the morning glory print dress. It was thrilling seeing her wearing it because this was one of my very first textile designs.

The reaction from the public was amazingly positive.

BC: How do you think the first lady looks in Barbara Tfank designs?

BT: I love the way Mrs. Obama wears my designs. I know she loves flowers and colors. We both share that passion. She also loves full-skirted dresses, which look magnificent on her.

BC: How would you describe the first lady’s style?

BT: Her style is very personal which I love. She dresses the way most women do. I love that she represents the reality of how women dress rather than an overly studied look, which I do not find natural or fun. The first lady enjoys the clothes she wears.

BC: Is her style having an effect on women in the US and worldwide?

BT: I think so. Her style has encouraged women to take pride in their appearance, which is wonderful. She has also encouraged women to have fun getting dressed up which is equally wonderful.

BC: Did she have any tangible or quantifiable effect on your business?

BT: It has definitely increased brand recognition hugely. When I travel around the US for my personal appearances and trunk shows, people tell me all the time that they have seen the first lady in my dresses and loved how they looked. In general, it had a very positive effect. The first lady has enabled many smaller design houses to gain recognition, which has been very positive in every sense.

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